Psychrophile (T)

- organism that can grow at 0 C, optimum 15 C or lower, max 20 C - commonly isolated from Arctic and Antarctic environments - enzymes, transport systems, and protein synthesis mechanisms of psychrophiles work well at cold temperatures - cytoplasmic membrane remains fluid at cold temps due to high levels of unsaturated fatty acids - many psychrophiles suffer from membrane disruption & leak cytoplasmic constituents